France was beautiful and I would love to visit again! I was expecting very small villages and everything you would find in movies; this was the starting point for the foundation of what France was going to look like. Only difference was that I was able to see these old buildings—I actually saw history and was made part of it—something that I don’t experience here in the United States. Although these old buildings have been renovated many times over centuries, the mainframes of these buildings remain the same as they were when they were first built. In Paris there were many ancient cathedrals and churches that were under renovation but still allowed visitors and church goers to attend. These renovations are done to preserve the structure and designed to be as minimally invasive to the visitors. In Vitré, I learned that in the 1400s there were merchants that grew so wealthy that they helped contribute to the construction of several buildings, one of which was the church. Because of this, some of the foundation stones found on the base of the church have the insignia or emblem of the linen merchant and others. Unlike homages and memorial blocks donated to institutions with inscriptions of the contributor’s name, these emblems are symbols of an occupation. The merchants did this so that all the population could recognize and know the business, and a vast majority of the population was illiterate. This tradition of using shapes and images instead of words is carried on in other businesses in and around Vitré. There are signs of boutiques, hair salons, restaurants and specialty shops.

Seeing the Eiffel Tower was breathtaking. I used to think it was just a big tower, but it is actually enormous! I felt so small in comparison to this giant, but it was awe inspiring. After seeing it in person I can easily see why it is a massive tourist site. Shortly after returning home, I learned that it was nearly demolished after the lease on the land had expired! One of the saving graces was that it was tall enough for radio signals so it was allowed to stay. I am glad that it is still remaining, because it really is an elegant and graceful structure. I also learned that the sparkling feature is a remnant of a Millennial New Year gimmick where it would sparkle at midnight every night for a year. The people loved it so much they requested not to take them down, and agreed to have it sparkle every hour for 10 minutes from 8 pm to 2 am. When you want something to last in Paris, it is a safe bet to win the people over with it!

ML@FLCC France 2015 Flickr Photo Gallery

Visiting and seeing the cathedrals of Paris and Brittany was another spiritual attraction for me. Getting to visit Notre Dame on a day there was a service in session was enlightening. I was hoping to hear chanting and singing, but hearing the priest was quite a different experience. I was invited by a nun to attend mass while looking down a dark stairwell in Mont-St-Michel. One of the cathedrals that does not get mentioned a whole lot is the Sacre Cœur Basilica in Montmartre, Paris. In World War II, the basilica was almost hit with 13 bombs, but all of them missed. It is believed that it was saved through Devine intervention. The aesthetic of these cathedrals was definitely one I do not come across often in the States. The only cathedral I had ever been in was at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City a couple years ago…